---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Happiness is your dentist telling you it…"
description: "\"Happiness is your dentist telling you it won't hurt and then having him catch his hand in the drill.\" — Johnny Carson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/johnny-carson-2644_dentist_happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it_1054702.png"
---

#  Happiness is your dentist telling you it won't hurt and…

![“Happiness is your dentist telling you it won't hurt and then having him catch his hand in the drill.” quote by Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/johnny-carson-2644_dentist_happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it_1054702.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/johnny-carson-2644_dentist_happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it_1054702.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/johnny-carson-2644_dentist_happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it_1054702.png)

> “Happiness is your dentist telling you it won't hurt and then having him catch his hand in the drill.”

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Describes the relief of a painless dental visit, using humor to highlight unexpected comfort.

**In simple terms:** Humorous relief from fear.

Key Takeaway

Find humor in discomfort.

Themes

humor relief anxiety

Mood

lighthearted reassuring

Type

comedic observational

When to use this quote

- dentist visits
- medical procedures
- stressful situations

Key Concepts

pain management patient experience

Questions to Reflect On

- What everyday anxieties could be eased with humor?
- How can professionals reduce patient fear?

A Different Perspective

Not all pain can be avoided.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smile/)

## Related quotes

> [Americans, too many of them, take themselves too seriously. You're going to get rapped - by the viewers, by the sponsors and by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/americans-too-many-of-them-take-themselves-too-seriously-you-re-going/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [There are three proven rules for good teeth: brush after every meal; see your dentist twice a year; and mind your own business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-boyd/there-are-three-proven-rules-for-good-teeth-brush-after-every-meal/)

Henry Boyd

> [A man loses his illusions first, his teeth second, and his follies last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-rowland/a-man-loses-his-illusions-first-his-teeth-second-and-his-follies-last/)

[Helen Rowland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-rowland/)

> [So I went to the dentist. He said Say Aaah. I said Why? He said My dog's died.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-i-went-to-the-dentist-he-said-say-aaah-i-said-why-he-said-my-dog-s/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Dentistry was an ego trip, and acting is a personal need. Usually it's the reverse, and I honestly don't think I had the talent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wilcox/dentistry-was-an-ego-trip-and-acting-is-a-personal-need-usually-it-s/)

[Larry Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wilcox/)

> [Men hang out their signs indicative of their respective trades; shoe makers hang out a gigantic shoe; jewelers a monster watch, and the dentist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-webster/men-hang-out-their-signs-indicative-of-their-respective-trades-shoe/)

[Daniel Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-webster/)

> [You can't escape history, or the needs and neuroses you've picked up like layers and layers of tartar on your teeth… Your every past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-escape-history-or-the-needs-and-neuroses-you-ve-picked-up/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [My therapist was like, 'What brings joy to your heart?' And I was like, 'I like to see teeth. I guess maybe I should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-haddish/my-therapist-was-like-what-brings-joy-to-your-heart-and-i-was-like-i/)

[Tiffany Haddish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-haddish/)

> [I'm like the guy who prepares your taxes or a dentist. I'm very conservative and boring in a lot of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-m-like-the-guy-who-prepares-your-taxes-or-a-dentist-i-m-very/)

[Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/)

> [Trips to the dentist - I like to postpone that kind of thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/trips-to-the-dentist-i-like-to-postpone-that-kind-of-thing/)

[Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/)

> [Dentists tell you not to pick your teeth with any sharp metal object. Then you sit in their chair and the first thing they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/dentists-tell-you-not-to-pick-your-teeth-with-any-sharp-metal-object/)

[Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/)

> [Gauguin flew into a frenzy! He held my head under the X-ray machine for ten straight minutes and for several hours after I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/gauguin-flew-into-a-frenzy-he-held-my-head-under-the-x-ray-machine/)

[Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/)

> [“Are your kids afraid of the Dentist?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-patton/are-your-kids-afraid-of-the-dentist/)

Rhonda Patton

> [At first I thought, if I were Superman, a perfect secret identity would be "Clark Kent, Dentist," because you could save money on tooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/at-first-i-thought-if-i-were-superman-a-perfect-secret-identity-would/)

[Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/)

> [The higher animals get their teeth without pain or inconvenience. Man gets his through months and months of cruel torture; he will never get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-higher-animals-get-their-teeth-without-pain-or-inconvenience-man/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

## More by Johnny Carson

> [It's silly to have as one's sole object in life just making money, accumulating wealth. I work because I enjoy what I'm doing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/it-s-silly-to-have-as-one-s-sole-object-in-life-just-making-money/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [The only issue cash presents you is the independence of not stressing about funds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/the-only-issue-cash-presents-you-is-the-independence-of-not-stressing/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [ I can empathize with President \[George Bush\]. I know what it feels like having a young guy waiting around for you to keel over. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-can-empathize-with-president-george-bush-i-know-what-it-feels-like/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [From the time I was a little kid, I was always shy. Performing was when I was outgoing. So I guess I am a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/from-the-time-i-was-a-little-kid-i-was-always-shy-performing-was-when/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [ I'm often asked, "What is your favorite moment during the 30 years you hosted \[The Tonight Show\]?" I really don't have just one. The… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-m-often-asked-what-is-your-favorite-moment-during-the-30-years-you/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [For days after death hair and fingernails continue to grow, but phone calls taper off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/for-days-after-death-hair-and-fingernails-continue-to-grow-but-phone/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [Money gives me just one big thing that's really important, and that's the freedom of not having to worry about money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/money-gives-me-just-one-big-thing-that-s-really-important-and-that-s/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [In Hollywood if you don't have a shrink, people think you're crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/in-hollywood-if-you-don-t-have-a-shrink-people-think-you-re-crazy/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [Ronald Reagan just signed the new tax law. But I think he was in Hollywood too long. He signed it, 'Best wishes, Ronald Reagan.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/ronald-reagan-just-signed-the-new-tax-law-but-i-think-he-was-in/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [The good news is that the president gets another chance. The bad news is that he'll be two weeks older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/the-good-news-is-that-the-president-gets-another-chance-the-bad-news/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank robbery has just taken place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/anytime-four-new-yorkers-get-into-a-cab-together-without-arguing-a/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [For three days after death, hair and fingernails continue to grow but phone calls taper off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/for-three-days-after-death-hair-and-fingernails-continue-to-grow-but/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [Democracy means free television, not good television, but free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/democracy-means-free-television-not-good-television-but-free/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-know-a-man-who-gave-up-smoking-drinking-sex-and-rich-food-he-was/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

> [Never ask your wife if she still hears from her old pimp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/never-ask-your-wife-if-she-still-hears-from-her-old-pimp/)

[Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

[Explore all 156 Johnny Carson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/)

## More Dentist quotes

> [The higher animals get their teeth without pain or inconvenience. Man gets his through months and months of cruel torture; he will never get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-higher-animals-get-their-teeth-without-pain-or-inconvenience-man/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [At first I thought, if I were Superman, a perfect secret identity would be "Clark Kent, Dentist," because you could save money on tooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/at-first-i-thought-if-i-were-superman-a-perfect-secret-identity-would/)

[Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/)

> [“Are your kids afraid of the Dentist?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-patton/are-your-kids-afraid-of-the-dentist/)

Rhonda Patton

> [Gauguin flew into a frenzy! He held my head under the X-ray machine for ten straight minutes and for several hours after I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/gauguin-flew-into-a-frenzy-he-held-my-head-under-the-x-ray-machine/)

[Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/)

> [Dentists tell you not to pick your teeth with any sharp metal object. Then you sit in their chair and the first thing they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/dentists-tell-you-not-to-pick-your-teeth-with-any-sharp-metal-object/)

[Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/)

> [Trips to the dentist - I like to postpone that kind of thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/trips-to-the-dentist-i-like-to-postpone-that-kind-of-thing/)

[Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/)

> [I'm like the guy who prepares your taxes or a dentist. I'm very conservative and boring in a lot of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-m-like-the-guy-who-prepares-your-taxes-or-a-dentist-i-m-very/)

[Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/)

> [My therapist was like, 'What brings joy to your heart?' And I was like, 'I like to see teeth. I guess maybe I should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-haddish/my-therapist-was-like-what-brings-joy-to-your-heart-and-i-was-like-i/)

[Tiffany Haddish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-haddish/)

> [You can't escape history, or the needs and neuroses you've picked up like layers and layers of tartar on your teeth… Your every past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-escape-history-or-the-needs-and-neuroses-you-ve-picked-up/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Men hang out their signs indicative of their respective trades; shoe makers hang out a gigantic shoe; jewelers a monster watch, and the dentist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-webster/men-hang-out-their-signs-indicative-of-their-respective-trades-shoe/)

[Daniel Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-webster/)

> [Dentistry was an ego trip, and acting is a personal need. Usually it's the reverse, and I honestly don't think I had the talent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wilcox/dentistry-was-an-ego-trip-and-acting-is-a-personal-need-usually-it-s/)

[Larry Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wilcox/)

> [So I went to the dentist. He said Say Aaah. I said Why? He said My dog's died.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-i-went-to-the-dentist-he-said-say-aaah-i-said-why-he-said-my-dog-s/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [A man loses his illusions first, his teeth second, and his follies last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-rowland/a-man-loses-his-illusions-first-his-teeth-second-and-his-follies-last/)

[Helen Rowland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-rowland/)

> [There are three proven rules for good teeth: brush after every meal; see your dentist twice a year; and mind your own business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-boyd/there-are-three-proven-rules-for-good-teeth-brush-after-every-meal/)

Henry Boyd

> [I wonder if there's such a thing as a spiritual dentist? I think my whole personality is full of cavities!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-schulz/i-wonder-if-there-s-such-a-thing-as-a-spiritual-dentist-i-think-my/)

[Charles M. Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-schulz/)

Browse all 271 Dentist quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Happiness is your dentist telling you it won't hurt and then having him catch his hand in the drill.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Johnny Carson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it-won-t-hurt-and-then-having/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Dentist"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it-won-t-hurt-and-then-having/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/johnny-carson-2644_dentist_happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it_1054702.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/johnny-carson-2644_dentist_happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it_1054702.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/johnny-carson-2644_dentist_happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it_1054702.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Happiness is your dentist telling you it won't hurt and then having him catch his hand in the drill.” — Johnny Carson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Johnny Carson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Happiness is your dentist telling you...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it-won-t-hurt-and-then-having/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/happiness-is-your-dentist-telling-you-it-won-t-hurt-and-then-having/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
